February 8, 2026

Matt 5:13-20

Salt and light, that’s what Jesus calls you and me in that gospel in the Sermon on the Mount. Salt and light. Christian people are very different from the world. Not only are we different, but we are also unique and our uniqueness is meant to make a difference in our world. It’s one thing to be different, it’s another thing to make a difference. Maybe you are already aware of this, one of the reasons people give for why they avoid the church is because they don’t see the difference the church makes in this world…or maybe in their own lives.

Not only that, but it’s difficult to distinguish Christians from the rest of the world. That’s very sad. Sometimes the life we live is no different than the way the unbeliever lives. But these salt and light pictures that Jesus gives us is because the Christian is different will think differently, the Christian will talk differently and the Christian will act differently and the Christian will relate to people differently. If we are the salt of the earth then this world needs some preserving and flavoring.  If we are the light of the world, then this world must be a dark place and need some light. You are salt, Jesus says. You are light, Jesus says. He declares that you are salt and light as fact. That is not some kinda future hope for us. It’s the present reality, it’s salt and light! That is who we are! What a statement that is, what a declaration! You are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world. That’s an incredible statement, do you know that? You are salt and light, incredible. Because Jesus is saying that you and me, every Christian has enormous significance. Because you are salt and you are light. He is saying I am going to do great things in the world, through you. Cause you are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world. So that means that your life is so very important, incredibly important, enormously important.

But have you ever thought to yourself, “Ah…me? I’m not very significant at all. I’m just a little person. Not very important, certainly not very significant, I don’t make a big difference. I’m just one little believer, what difference do I make?” Well lemme tell ya, Jesus disagrees with that. He says you are the light of the world, you are the salt of the earth and I am calling you to be source through which I bring glory to the Father. That’s really what Jesus is saying throughout this sermon on the Mt.   As a Christian person you are called to live a life that is delightfully different. Not a dark life. But a life full of life and light, because you are the light of the world. Not a bland life but a life full of seasoning and zest because you are the salt of the earth. You are called to live in such a way that you stick out, like a city on a hill, like a light put up on a stand! Like that dash of salt that seasons and preserves and makes everything better. God is calling you and me to live a life that has zeal and zest and appeal through Him.

Now is that how religion and faith are today? or have you heard something more like this, “Oh… religion? faith? Now that’s a personal matter, you keep that to yourself. That’s a very personal thing, it’s private. It’s really between you and God after all. So you shouldn’t impose your beliefs on anyone or anybody else.”  We hear that all the time, don’t we? That faith is really a private matter, a personal thing.  But let me ask you, do you hear that from the bible? No we don’t. Never. No. What does the bible say, it is not private at all. It’s very, very public. You are like a city on a hill, you can’t miss it! You are like that light put up on a stand so that everybody can see the light. You are the light to the nations.

Now when I was a kid I learned a little song you probably did too. This little gospel light of mine…remember that? I’m gonna let it shine, all the time, let it shine (chorus)

Hide it under a bushel? The answer NO. You don’t do that. You don’t hide it under a bushel or anything else. You are gonna let it shine.

The next verse, don’t let Satan WHOOO it out. Remember? The devil always desperately wants to blow out that little gospel light. But I’m not gonna let that happen, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, All the time. Let it shine.

The next verse, I’m gonna let it shine….all around the neighborhood. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine all the time, let it shine. As we did that with our finger as we kept singing that verse. I knew my job was to let my faith shine in my neighborhood. Which would be my street, Ponderosa Dr. on that corner with Birchwood Ave as people took that turn or went by that little house. So when I went out to play with my buddies I knew I was to let my gospel light shine. When I went out to play ball I was to let my light shine, which was Christ. If fact, I was to let it shine, all the time! Let it shine.

What’s your neighborhood? your street? where you live? and work? and play? and have friends? and have neighbors? Let the light of Christ shine, all the time. And ya know when ya hear that song, or sing that song it’s not, “Meh… I should or I have to let it shine or I must let it shine.” It’s not some kind of oppressive commandment for us. No in that little song there’s this positive enthusiasm for being the light of Christ, for letting that light of Christ in me and in you, shine.

Now I know that this might be kinda frightening for us. We are sinful people after all. We fall and we fail and we do that alot. And sometimes we are not the best examples are we? But even if we are called to be salt and light. And I know that being salt and light, truthfully, that can be a little inconvenient sometimes. Doesn’t always fit into the schedule, does it? To be the salt of the earth, and light of the world it’s not just a one time action, not just a Sunday morning appearance in worship or bible class. It’s a consistent attitude, a consistent action of a disciple of Jesus Christ. Its our state of being. We are salt. We are light. And in Jesus call to be salt of the earth and light of the world, we are called to be concerned, concerned for, the salvation of the world.  Our concern is for the salvation of the people in our community. Our concern is that they know Jesus as their Savior. Our concern is that they know the cost Jesus paid for the penalty of their sin. Our concern is that all people may receive that same blessing from God that we have. And so God calls us to be salty disciples, bright lights, bold in proclaiming Him to other people. He calls us to be salt and light. And He calls us because other people’s salvation is at stake. I know that the Lord gives ample opportunity for us to be salt and light. I don’t know where God has placed those who need salt and light of the gospel in your life? It could be in your office, in your group of friends, or maybe in your family, but you know, you know those people who God has put into your life that you know who need the gospel. And I challenge you to be salt and light for them.

Jesus says you are the salt of the earth. But if that salt shaker is not used, if the holes on top of that shaker are plugged up, what good is it? what if it never gets out? What if it never gets used? You are the light of the world, Jesus says.  But if that light is stuck under a bowl or doesn’t shine what good is that light? The light has power to shine the love of Christ, what if it never gets out?  Have you noticed that salt must have contact to have impact. Salt if it stays in the shaker, it’s kinda useless. We Christians are kinda like that. To follow Jesus and do what He has called us to do, we have to make contact. We need to know and love the people God has placed all around you and me. Whether classmates, coworkers, or family members. That’s why prayed on the night before died on the cross, Father as you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. IOW, through them, through these little Christ followers, I will shake that salt shaker and I will turn on the light for the world. You, are the salt of the earth, you, are the light of the world, by God’s grace He makes us to be salt and light. By His forgiveness He gives you a new heart in order to share His love. By His glory He calls you to be shaker of salt to be a beacon of light with that good news that saves. May God bless you in that mission that He has given all of us. You are, the salt of the earth, you are, the light of the world. Salt and light that is what we are amen.

Now may the peace of God which surpasses all our understanding, keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.